04/20/2026
Firefighters Responding to Surge in Overdose Calls, resources are being stretched thin Saskatoon, SK — The members of lAFF Saskatoon Firefighters Local 80 are raising serious concerns about the growing strain on frontline emergency services as overdose-related calls continue to rise across our community.
Firefighters are increasingly being dispatched to medical emergencies involving suspected overdoses, many of which are life-threatening and require rapid, highly coordinated intervention.
While your Saskatoon Firefighters remain committed to delivering the highest level of care, the current pace and volume of these calls are stretching resources and placing added pressure on an already demanding system.
“This is not a one-off trend — this is a sustained increase that is impacting our ability to respond effectively across the board,” said the President of Local 80. “Our firefighters are showing up, saving lives, and doing everything that’s asked of them. But they cannot continue to absorb this level of demand without additional support.”
Overdose incidents are significantly contributing to higher overall call volumes. At this pace adverse effects on the community could be a reduction of availability for other emergencies and increasing response times.
IAFF Saskatoon Firefighters Local 80 is calling on the provincial government to recognize this growing crisis and take immediate action to provide targeted resources. This includes increased funding for frontline emergency services, expanded access to addiction and mental health supports, and a coordinated strategy that addresses the root causes of the overdose epidemic.
“This is a provincial health emergency brought to our city streets, because of the safety and security the municipal government provides for it’s citizens,” statement continued, “municipal resources alone cannot carry this burden. We need meaningful provincial involvement to ensure our members can continue to protect the public safely and effectively.”